Prediction of the number of consumed disc cutters of tunnel boring machine using intelligent methods

Purpose. Disc cutters are the main cutting tools for the Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). Prediction of the number of consumed disc cutters of TBMs is one of the most significant factors in the tunneling projects. Choosing the right model for predicting the number of consumed disc cutters in mechanized tunneling projects has been the most important mechanized tunneling topics in recent years. Methods. In this research, the prediction of the number of consumed disc cutters considering machine and ground conditions such as Power (KW), Revolutions per minute (RPM) (Cycle/Min), Thrust per Cutter (KN), Geological Strength Index (GSI) in the Sabzkooh water conveyance tunnel has been conducted by multiple linear regression analysis and multiple nonlinear regression, Gene Expression Programming (GEP) method and Support Vector Machine (SVM) approaches. Findings. Results showed that the number of consumed disc cutters for linear regression method is R-2 = 0.95 and RMSE = 0.83, nonlinear regression method is - R-2 = 0.95 and RMSE = 0.84, Gene Expression Programming (GEP) method is - R-2 = 0.94 and RMSE = 0.95, Support Vector Machine (SVM) method is - R-2 = 0.98 and RMSE = 0.45. Originality. During the analyses, in order to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of predictive models, the coefficient of determination (R-2) and root mean square error (RMSE) have been used. Practical implications. Results demonstrated that all four methods are effective and have high accuracy but the method of support vector machine has a special superiority over other methods.